One of
the most successful female r&b singers of the mid-to-late 80s,
Cherrelle was essentially the template for Janet Jackson. Her work
with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which includes "Saturday Love,"
"You Look Good To Me," and "Everything I Miss At
Home," established the formula the production duo would replicate
with Ms. Jackson to greater acclaim: memorable keyboard hooks, sleek
rhythm tracks, sultry and sassy vocals.

Born Cheryl Norton, she had
worked on the periphery of the music industry for several years before
being signed to Clarence Avant's Tabu label in 1983. Her debut, Fragile,
was released the following year and went gold on the strength of "I
Didn't Mean To Turn You On," a top 10 single that was covered by
Robert Palmer a few years later.

1985's High Priority
continued her momentum with the hits "Artificial Heart" and
"You Look Good To Me." But its signature track is
"Saturday Love," a collaboration with fellow Jam & Lewis act
Alexander O'Neal that stands as one of the definitive soul duets of all
time. The blend of Cherrelle's sexy lead, O'Neal's powerful response, and
the insanely catchy "SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
love" chorus was the perfect combination, lifting the single to
number two and generating significant crossover action.

This was followed by what many
consider Cherrelle's crowning achievement, Affair. For this album,
Jam & Lewis used the idea of a failed love affair as the concept
behind the record, and the result was her most mature statement. Covering
the wide variety of emotions that affairs generate, Affair is an
80s classic with the essential tunes "Everything I Miss At
Home," "Affair," and "Never Knew Love Like This,"
another duet with O'Neal. This would be her third and final gold
album.

After this creative peak,
Cherrelle was surpassed in popularity by a new wave of artists that
included Karyn White, Vanessa Williams, Jody Watley, and her cousin
Pebbles. She released only two albums during the 90s, The Woman I Am (1991)
and The Right Time (1999),bookending that decade
nicely. Today she is a popular act for venues around the globe and
is fondly remembered.